'Chasm' opens in GOP as some Republicans begin to push against Trump plans: NY Times

A “chasm” is already opening up between President Donald Trump and a “closely divided Congress,” the New York Times reported Monday.

Some Republican members of Congress are already balking over many of his policies, and it’s threatening the loyalty that Trump insists on from members of his party, according to the report.

"Even as Republicans have coalesced around broad fiscal policies like cutting spending and extending the tax cuts Mr. Trump enacted in 2017, many do not share his enthusiasm for several ideas he has proposed,” the report stated.

The unpopular proposals include, “Implementing broad tariffs and lowering the corporate tax rate. Those disagreements are at the heart of Republican leaders' efforts to piece together legislation carrying the bulk of Mr. Trump's domestic policy agenda — a massive bill cutting taxes, slashing spending and slowing immigration that they plan to fast-track over the objections of Democrats.”

The Times’ report highlights opposition to tariffs from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) as an example of increased questioning of the president’s agenda.

"I still don't think tariffs are a good idea. International trade has made the entire world incredibly prosperous, and if you look at GDP per capita over the last 70 years, it's a hockey stick going straight up,” he told the Times.

“I think trade is a good thing, and international trade is a great thing, and it makes everybody richer."

But Trump’s agenda must have complete support if it’s to pass a Congress which the GOP controls with a tiny margin.

And any opposition is likely to come with major repercussions, the Times reported.

“ The president — who is famously vindictive and can count on a contingent of MAGA allies ready to hector and threaten any Republican who stands in his way — is likely to demand unbending loyalty from his party when it comes to domestic policy,” it stated.